Forester Foundations

The Huntington University Forester Foundations Curriculum challenges students to integrate knowledge, values and skills into a coherent worldview that equips them for a life of faithfulness to God through service in the world. Particular emphasis is placed on critical thinking and communication skills that foster lifelong learning and the ability to apply newly acquired knowledge to practical problems from a Christian perspective. 

Students are expected to achieve six learning outcomes, of which there are two types. The first three outcomes (faith integration, critical thinking, and communication) are set as objectives for every course in the curriculum. We refer to these as the foundational learning outcomes. Beyond being present in every core course, the foundational outcomes are also incorporated into every program's learning outcomes, linking Forester Foundations to students' majors. The curriculum also includes three specialized outcomes (multicultural thinking, empirical thinking, and creative expression), which are not set as objectives for every core course, nor are they necessarily a part of every program's learning outcomes. However, they are present in several courses within Forester Foundations and are no less important than the foundational outcomes, playing a crucial role in the holistic development of Huntington students.

Forester Foundations Learning Outcomes

The foundational learning outcomes are:

• Faith Integration: Analyze subject matter from the perspective of Christianity.
• Critical Thinking: Analyze topics clearly and rationally, relating them to goal-directed outcomes.
• Communication: Communicate effectively and clearly through writing, speech, and other mediums.

The specialized learning outcomes are:

• Multicultural Thinking: Exhibit awareness and understanding of one's own and other cultures.
• Empirical Thinking: Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions with empirical information.
• Creative Expression: Take ideas, images, and other media and combine them in original and illuminating ways.

Forester Foundations Requirements

The Forester Foundations curriculum itself is divided into three sections: Core4, General Education, and Immersives. 

Core4

The Core4 courses are interdisciplinary courses that equip students to live out God's calling for their lives around four themes: Belonging, Creating, Discovering, and Flourishing: 

• HUX 210 Created to Belong explores the concept of belonging in human relationships. Students will reflect on the benefits and challenges related to participation in the social life of their neighborhoods, churches, workplaces, and civic organizations with specific attention given to belonging as Christian members of the civitas. 
   
• HUX 220 Created to Create explores how Christian artists express divine beauty and truth through various forms of art, encouraging students to use their own creativity to serve Christ and others. 
   
• HUX 230 Created to Discover investigates the harmony and tension between faith and science, equipping students to pursue truth and reflect God's order through discovery. 
   
• HUX 240 Created to Flourish considers what it means to thrive as whole persons - body, mind, and spirit - rooted in biblical principles and vocational purpose. 

All Core4 courses address the three foundational outcomes, while Created to Belong also addresses Multicultural Thinking, Created to Create addresses Creative Expression, and Created to Discover addresses Empirical Thinking. 

General Education

The General Education requirements along with any specialized outcomes are as follows: 

Bible (6 hours)

Christian Faith (3 hours)

Communication (3 hours)

History (choose 3 hours)

English (3 hours)

Mathematical Science (3 hours)

Natural Science (4 hours)

Social Science (choose 3 hours)

Immersives 

Forester Foundations requires students to complete three immersive experiences - Creative Expression, Cultural Enrichment, and Experiential Learning - each of which may be met with or without academic credit. The non-credit option for each of these would require at least 20 hours of relevant experience, and, unless otherwise indicated, these must occur while the student is enrolled at Huntington University. Any petitions related to these requirements require approval from the advisor, the Core Director, and the Registrar. 

Creative Expression 
An opportunity to create or share information by artistic means

• Can be met by a non-credit experience. Must involve at least 20 hours of either practice or performance. Must take place while enrolled as a Huntington University student or approved summer experience. Examples include but are not limited to: participation in plays, concerts, leading worship, writing stories, making videos, or podcasts.
   
• Can be met with academic credit. (See approved classes below)

  ARX 115 Introduction to Art

  3 hours

   

Cultural Enrichment  
An experience that invites students to consider cultures outside of the USA

• Can be met with a cross-cultural experience while enrolled at Huntington University. Must involve at least 20 hours of learning, training, experiences, or visiting other countries. Students can "stack" two experiences which total a minimum of 20 hours. Examples include but are not limited to: Huntington University missions trips, participation in cross cultural groups/meetings, etc. 
   
• Can be met with foreign language proficiency, demonstrated by: CLEP exam, language transfer credit (minimum 3 hours), other approved means.
   
• Can be met by study abroad experience.
   
• Can be met with academic credit. (See approved classes below)

  BTX 331 Religions of the World

  3 hours

  
   

Experiential Learning 
A hands-on experience outside the classroom

• This can be determined by faculty in the student's major.
• Must take place while enrolled as an Huntington University student or approved summer experience.
• Can be met with academic credit. Examples of credit experiences include: internships, practicums, student teaching, and clinicals.  

General Guidelines: 

• Petitions should be approved by advisor, Core director, and registrar prior to the experience.
• One experience can count for more than one immersive experience as long as it meets the requirements for both.

Core Four Transfer Policy

Transfer students who bring in 60 or more hours of college credit will be exempt from two of the Core Four courses. As a result, they will be required to complete two Core Four courses prior to graduation. This policy does not apply to first-time freshmen who earned college credit during high school.